NEW YORK: February 27, 2010Statement by the Primate of the Russian Church Abroad On the Earthquake In Chile

Beloved in the Lord brothers and sisters, I wish you peace and Divine blessing!

It is with horror that I follow the events in Chile, I suffer for all those “who sorrow and grieve and look for the comfort of Christ,” praying that the Lord pour His mercy upon all the victims of the earthquake in the country, the parishioners of our churches, and all those who suffer. I pray for the repose of the souls of those who died in this tragedy. May the Lord send His heavenly aid to those in power, to the rescue workers and their helpers, the doctors and clergymen, and grand them wisdom, courage, zeal and Christian love.

In these days of repentance, cleansing and mercy, the thoughts and prayers of the episcopacy, clergy and faithful flock of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia are with the suffering, their relatives, with our parishioners and the entire people of Chile. I remind you all that our prayer must be accompanied by corresponding good deeds and a Christian life. Therefore, I ask everyone to open their hearts widely and provide generous aid to the suffering in Chile through the Fund for Assistance to the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, which has already done for the victims in Haiti.

May the Lord “grant strength to His people,” as the Prophet and Psalmist David wrote, to overcome this sorrow and its consequences.

With love in Christ,

+Hilarion,
Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York,
First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia
February 27, 2010